Battery Charger Troubleshooting

Kussmaul Electronics

Troubleshooting Steps

• Checking the charger wiring• AC input voltage• DC output voltage• Charger output• Charger Indicators

Checking Charger Wiring

12VDCTo battery

120 VACInput

BatteryPositive

BatteryNegative

AC connectionsBlack = LWhite = NGreen = Ground

Checking A.C. Input Voltage

Checking A.C. Input

If your “POWER” LED is on you have 120VAC installed correctly

Checking A.C. Input

Meter reading120 VAC

If your “POWER” LED is off. Use a volt meter and check the “INPUT” terminal strip for 120VAC

Checking A.C. InputIf your “POWER” LED is off, and you have 120VAC at the “INPUT” terminal strip, check the input circuit breaker

Circuit breaker ok Circuit breaker openedIf your “POWER” LED is off, and you have 120VAC at the “INPUT” terminal strip, and circuit breaker is ok, then send charger back for repair

Checking DC connections

Checking D.C. If your “BATTERY CONNECTED” LED is on you have 12VDC installed correctly

Checking D.C.If your “BATTERY CONNECTED” LED is off. Use a volt meter and check the “OUTPUT” terminal strip for 12Volts DC.

12 Volts DC

Checking D.C.If your “BATTERY CONNECTED” LED is off, and there is no voltage at the “OUTPUT” terminal strip. Then check the battery connections for 12Volts DC.

Checking Charger Output

Is the fan running? Checking Charger Output

•Fan turns on when the output current is > 8 amps•Fan turns off when the output current tapers to < 5 amps

“Fan On” LED should turn on when fan is running. If LED is on and the fan is not running there is a problem with the fan

Fan

Checking Charger Output Current The easiest way is to use a DC clamp on meter to see if there is current flowing from the charger to the battery

Checking for high resistance connection

Checking Charger Output

• Measure and record the voltage at the charger.• Measure and record the voltage at the battery.• Voltage at the charger should be higher or equal to the battery. If higher then 0.75volts there could be a poor connection, or wire gauge is to small.• Voltage at the battery should NOT be higher than the voltage at the charger.

• A fully charged battery should read 13.25 volts at the battery

Checking Charger Output

Meter reading13.25 voltsat battery

Indicator showing Charger Output current < 1 amp

Does the indicator illuminate?

Checking Charger Output

Showing OutputCharger supplying

current to battery or load

Not Showing Output Battery not connected, not

charging, or charger in current limit (low battery)

Indicator Outputs

Charger Output current < 1 amp

Inoperative or charger has reached its current-limit (40 amps)

Charger Output current 20-30 amps

Charger Output current 10-15 amps

Indicator Wiring

1. Power 18 to 25volts DC2. Ground3. Approx. 6volts DC (1/2 the battery voltage)4. 0-7volts DC (7volts = 40amps output)5. Not connected (pin 5 on indicator only)

New Deluxe IndicatorThis indicator shows you a lot of information and is

very helpful in troubleshooting

The End